Spinach is low in calories yet packed full of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and fibre, which are good for you. This is such a versatile vegetable. It can be eaten raw in salads or enjoyed cooked on its own or added to soups and other dishes. However, people who have kidney problems will have to be careful about eating this green, as "oxalates/草酸" in spinach may interfere with the absorption of "calcium/钙", as well as potentially crystallize. Find out more information of how to select, store, and enjoy spinach here.
The outbreak of the intestinal bacteria EHEC has now killed more than 10 people and hundreds of people falling ill in Germany. It is suspected that the outbreak is linked to contaminated salads and vegetables, but there has been no confirmation of the source. So to play it safe, I have prepared all sorts of leafy vegetables these days COOKED, even those greens on the pizza.

Pinch off the spinach leaves and discard stems. Soak the leaves in the water for 30 minutes. Drain. Rinse and drain a couple more times until the water is clear. Drain and roughly cut the leaves into smaller chunks.

Finely chop the shallots and crush the garlic through a press. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Stir in chopped shallots and garlic over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Pour in red wine and cook until it’s syrupy. Add in chopped spinach and cook, covered, for 2-3 minutes. Taste with salt and pepper.

Spinach Prosciutto Pizza

Fresh Tomato Pizza Sauce

Pizza

2 tsp Olive oil

1 Large onion, finely chopped

2 clove Garlic, finely chopped

1 kg Fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped

3 tbsp Tomato paste

1/2 tbsp Dried oregano

2 tbsp Sugar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

300 g Bread flour

1/2 tsp Salt

4 g Instant dried yeast

210 ml Water

Tomato pizza sauce

Mozzarella or Gruyere, grated

Parmesan, grated

Spinach

Prosciutto

Black olives

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cut small x in base of each tomato. Bring a large pot of water to boil. In a large basin or container add cold water and some ice. Using a slotted spoon put a few tomatoes in the boiling water for about 20 seconds. The skin will split where the x was cut. Transfer each tomato to the prepared ice bath. After the tomato cools use fingers to pull the skin off of the tomato. Slice the tomato in quarters. Remove the seeds and chop.

Heat oil in large pan. Add in chopped onions and cook over medium heat for until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, paste, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 30 minutes.

Stir together the flour, salt and instant yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on low speed with the paddle attachment until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and knead the dough at the lowest speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down, divide into 2 balls, and allow them to relax for another 30 minutes. Heat up pizza stone in a 250C/500F oven. Form a 12 to 14-inch pizza crust and place on a piece of parchment paper sprinkled with yellow cornmeal.

Top pizza dough with pizza sauce, spreading with back of a spoon to within 1/2-inch of edge. Place topping on the crust and place the pizza, with the parchment paper in the oven on the pizza stone. Bake until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Thanks for raising awareness about the e coli outbreak in Europe - so dangerous but absolutely can be avoided by cooking vegetables while there is this threat. These recipes look delicious, especially the pizza!

Looks like you have been dining in style! You really rounded it out to a healthy meal. Spinach is always a nice addition to pizza. Also, thanks for posting the recipe for the side dish!Buzzed this post.

I love spinach too! I used to eat it everyday when I was still in States, cooked or in salads. But now with kids, their face would wrinkle if I serve them spinach every day. Great idea with the pizza, will try it out with my kids next time...they will eat literally any topping if it's on a pizza! Lol!

We had a similar problem with greens in the states, awful when you have to worry about the food you are eating, especially when you are trying to eat healthy things. The way you have prepared the spinach sounds wonderful and the pizza looks amazing. Your crust looks nice and cripsy:)

whenever there's an outbreak of a bacteria especially in food , it really worries us. At one time, we also had reports of bacteria found in pork and we just stop eating pork at one time but vegetables, i think it's hard. How can we not eat vegetables? Hope the authority concerned over there can find the source of this ehec outbreak asap. btw, that red wine spinach sounds really intriguing!

Angie-Both recipes are absolutely perfect, delicious, and so inviting! Love the thin crust pizza dough, and especially the topping of the spinach, and prosciutto. Your pizza sauce with the fresh tomato is another recipe that I would love to make. I'm bookmarking this page for sure:DDD

I've been following the e-coli outbreak in Europe which is very scary. About 1-1/2 years ago we had one linked to bagged salad (which I use all winter). Smart to play it safe and cook the greens! But very smart to use your greens as deliciously as you do in this pizza. (Which is calling to me)

Angie your spinach with red wine is beautiful, the baby spinach we have in our markets looks beautiful now and this would be an excellent time to give this recipe a try. I love your pizza with spinach and prosciutto topping as well. I can't remember the last time I made pizza at home, probably a few years! I heard about the e-coli outbreak in Germany, how scary and tragic, I hope they find the source of it soon and end this nightmare.Best wishes and take care;-)

I was just reading more about the E-Coli outbreak this morning. Very scary and I hope they find the source very soon. Love the way you prepared the spinach. Your pizza looks fabulous! Hope your weekend is lovely, Angie! xx

I'd heard about that outbreak on the news. I'll pick up my greens at our local farmers markets and wash them thoroughly. It pays to be careful. Lovely spinach recipe. I'd never have thought to cook them in a red wine sauce.

Sorry to hear about this current health scare which has claimed lives. Your cooking method seems an excellent solution which allows you to still enjoy green vegetables. I've always loved greens on my pizza and your creations are spot on!

visiting your blog after a long break..nice presentation and a very tempting recipe..I am glad to invite you to participate in our "Quick and Easy recipe mela". http://www.spicytasty.com/misc/quick-and-easy-recipe-mela/

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